Pop
tubular
What does tubular mean?
In surf origin, describing a perfect curling wave that forms a hollow tube you can ride inside.
"That wave barreled into a tubular section right off the point."
Origin
Surfer slang for riding inside the hollow 'tube' of a curling wave, which is the ultimate ride. The meaning generalized into all-purpose praise and became a Valley-girl staple after the 1982 song and film 'Valley Girl.'
Frequently asked questions
What does tubular mean in 80s slang?
It means excellent or awesome. It started with surfers describing perfect tube-shaped waves and became general teen praise.
Why do they say 'totally tubular'?
Pairing 'totally' with 'tubular' was a catchphrase of Valley-girl culture in the early 80s for maximum enthusiasm.
Do people still say tubular?
Rarely, and almost always as a deliberate retro or joking nod to 80s slang.
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